Jackie Marcelle Meritt

Jackie was born in Plainview, Arkansas, on May 4, 1941, to James and Flora Herron. The family moved to Hot Springs, where Jackie graduated from high school in 1959. She married Jimmy Neal Boyd, and together they had one child, Rebecca Ann Boyd.

In the mid-1960’s, Jackie was hired by the Federal Aviation Administration and became the first female air traffic controller at Fort Worth Air Route Traffic Control Center. She served in this capacity for nearly twenty years before resigning to establish and operate the True Vine youth center in Richland Hills. Jackie loved the Lord and wanted to share God’s Good News to everyone. Even during her last days in the hospital, she would gather the doctors, nurses, aides, and anyone who came into her room and would ask if they knew Jesus and then pray for them. She had a powerful influence on young people and adults alike.

One of the youngsters at True Vine was a boy named John McGee. John was willing to help in every way and would tag along on any excursion whenever he could. Jackie and John developed a strong bond over the years, and she adopted John as her own son following the death of his parents.

In 2004, Jackie married Bobby Joe Meritt and together they operated a buffalo ranch and event center near Denton, Texas for several years. Jackie loved working with people, and the ranch provided excellent opportunities to do so. It was a very special time for both her and Bob.

Jackie is survived by her son John McGee and Victoria of Azle, Texas; grandchildren Jennifer Palmer of Lone Grove, Oklahoma, Christopher Nolley and Christie of Fort Worth, and Rachel McGee of Azle; Great-grandchildren Kaylie Palmer, Gregory Palmer, Neil Palmer, Mason Palmer, Eaton Palmer, Haley Nolley, Rebekah Nolley, Jax Nichols, and Molly-Mae Short; and six great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Flora Herron of Hot Springs, Arkansas; her brother Mack Vernon Herron of Pocatello, Idaho, and her sister Barbara Oleta Tomlinson of Bakersfield, California; her husband Jimmy Neal Boyd and their daughter Rebecca (Becky) Ann Boyd of Fort Worth; and her husband Bobby Joe Meritt of Denton.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Jackie at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park, 5725 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, TX 76034 on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM. Visitation will precede the service at 9:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Moaz Isreal, www.moazisreal.org, or to Peniel Fellowship Isreal, https://penielfellowshipisrael.com/ to honor Jackie’s legacy.